EPA Awards $4.25M for Superfund Site Remedial Action Oversight in Texas

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,250,195 ($4.3M)

Contractor: EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2022-09-12

End Date: 2028-09-11

Contract Duration: 2,191 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: BIL PROJECT - R6 RAF ESO TASK ORDER PACKAGE FOR EAST 67TH STREET RA SUPERFUND SITE TASK ORDER TITLE: REGION 6 ESO REMEDIAL ACTION (RA) OVERSIGHT SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE EAST 67TH STREET GROUND WATER PLUME SUPERFUND SITE LOCATED IN ECTOR COUNTY, TEXA

Place of Performance

Location: HUNT VALLEY, BALTIMORE County, MARYLAND, 21031

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $4.3 million to EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC for work described as: BIL PROJECT - R6 RAF ESO TASK ORDER PACKAGE FOR EAST 67TH STREET RA SUPERFUND SITE TASK ORDER TITLE: REGION 6 ESO REMEDIAL ACTION (RA) OVERSIGHT SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE EAST 67TH STREET GROUND WATER PLUME SUPERFUND SITE LOCATED IN ECTOR COUNTY, TEXA Key points: 1. The contract focuses on critical remedial action oversight for a groundwater plume Superfund site. 2. EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost risks if not managed carefully. 4. This award falls within the Remediation Services sector, supporting environmental cleanup efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Time and Materials contract type, with a ceiling of $4.25M, offers flexibility but requires diligent oversight to control costs. Benchmarking against similar RA oversight contracts is difficult without detailed labor categories and rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting a limited competition. This method may not have yielded the most competitive pricing compared to a truly full and open process.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential environmental cleanup oversight. The pricing structure warrants close monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Public Impact

Ensures critical oversight of environmental cleanup at a Superfund site, protecting public health and the environment. Supports the EPA's mission to address hazardous waste sites. The contract duration of nearly six years allows for sustained support throughout the remedial action phase.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type
Limited competition method
No small business participation noted

Positive Signals

Supports critical environmental cleanup
Long-term contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under environmental remediation services, a sector crucial for addressing legacy pollution. Spending in this area is driven by regulatory requirements and the need to mitigate environmental and health risks.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates no small business participation in this contract. Opportunities for small businesses in environmental remediation services are significant, and their exclusion here warrants review.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which has established oversight mechanisms for Superfund projects. However, the Time and Materials nature of the award necessitates robust monitoring to prevent cost overruns.

Related Government Programs

Remediation Services
Environmental Protection Agency Contracting
Environmental Protection Agency Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type
Limited competition may have reduced price competitiveness
Lack of small business participation
Contract duration extends over multiple fiscal years, requiring sustained budget allocation and oversight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $4.3 million to EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC. BIL PROJECT - R6 RAF ESO TASK ORDER PACKAGE FOR EAST 67TH STREET RA SUPERFUND SITE TASK ORDER TITLE: REGION 6 ESO REMEDIAL ACTION (RA) OVERSIGHT SUPPORT SERVICES AT THE EAST 67TH STREET GROUND WATER PLUME SUPERFUND SITE LOCATED IN ECTOR COUNTY, TEXA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EA ENGINEERING, SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY, INC., PBC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-12. End: 2028-09-11.

What specific factors led to the exclusion of other sources, and were these justified to ensure the best value for the government?

The justification for excluding other sources is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions are based on factors like unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific technical requirements. A thorough review would be needed to determine if these justifications were valid and if they truly resulted in the best value, or if a more open competition could have yielded better pricing or a wider range of qualified contractors.

How will the EPA ensure cost control and prevent potential overruns with a Time and Materials contract for a nearly six-year duration?

The EPA will likely employ stringent contract surveillance, including regular reviews of labor hours, rates, and direct costs. Establishing clear performance metrics and milestones, coupled with proactive communication with the contractor, is crucial. Regular audits and a defined ceiling price help manage financial exposure, but continuous vigilance is key to mitigating risks associated with T&M contracts over extended periods.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the long-term environmental health and safety of the East 67th Street Superfund site?

This contract is essential for ensuring the effective implementation and oversight of the remedial action plan at the East 67th Street Groundwater Plume Superfund site. Proper oversight by EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., PBC is expected to lead to the successful containment or cleanup of contaminants, thereby mitigating risks to public health and the environment in Ector County, Texas.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 68HERH22Q0059

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 225 SCHILLING CIR STE 400, HUNT VALLEY, MD, 21031

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,569,935

Exercised Options: $4,250,195

Current Obligation: $4,250,195

Actual Outlays: $1,720,259

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $145,926

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HE0118D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline